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Sallisaw Police Chief Back At The Departmental Helm

Elected Sallisaw Police Chief Shaloa Edwards resumed control of his department Wednesday afternoon, a day after Special Judge Holli Wells filed a civil judgment in his favor in Sequoyah County District Court.

In her order, Wells stated that Sallisaw city administrators had deprived Edwards of his due process rights by taking the action other than following provisions already in Oklahoma law and the city charter for ousting an elected official.

The City Commission originally suspended Edwards’ supervisory and departmental management authority for 90 days after amending a city ordinance on Feb. 11 to enable City Manager Bill Baker to assume supervision of the Police Department while an investigation continued into an allegation Edwards had taken $60 of public money for personal use. The commission subsequently extended the suspension in May and in July.

Edwards faces a felony embezzlement of public money charge for allegedly taking the money from a departmental fund and leaving an I.O.U. in its place. He later repaid the money, according to city officials.

Wells set a preliminary hearing for 9 a.m. Sept. 24 in the criminal case. Preliminary hearings are held to allow a judge to determine if sufficient evidence exists to bind a defendant over for trial. Edwards pleaded not guilty at his April 24 arraignment.

In her order, Wells wrote that the position of Sallisaw police chief differs from other city departments that “shall” be supervised and controlled directly or indirectly by the city manager because the chief is elected by Sallisaw voters. Unlike other police officers, the chief cannot participate in the Police Pension and Retirement System, which places the chief in a different classification from other police officers.

Wells stated that the voters elected Edwards as chief and all it entails under the city charter in effect at that time. The right to supervise and control the police department was inherent with the position, she stated.

Voters first elected Edwards in 2005. The position is up again for election in February 2014.

After Wells’ order was filed Tuesday, Baker informed Edwards by email that the commission would discuss the matter in executive session on Monday, and in the interim Baker and Capt. Beau Gabbert, the officer appointed to oversee daily operations, would retain control of the department.

In his email response, Edwards disagreed, saying he and his attorney considered the city’s decision to be contempt of court.

Edwards wrote, “I consider myself to be back in charge at this time and intend to follow the court order.”

In an emailed reply Wednesday morning, Baker told Edwards he forwarded Edwards’ email to City Attorney John Robert Montgomery, but would make no changes until the city’s legal counsel advised him to do so.

Sexton contended Oklahoma law provides that a judge’s injunction is a fully enforceable action, and failing to comply with Well’s order constitutes blatant disregard for the court’s order.

Sallisaw Mayor Shannon Vann did not return a Times Record call by the end of the business day Wednesday.